The resolution of the unseemly trademark dispute between often estranged collaborators Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman has paved the way for the release of Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose. While the terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, Meat Loaf's lawsuit against the ersatz composer, which sought a declaratory judgment over the rights to the "Bat Out Of Hell" trademark and damages for interference with Loaf's contractual relationships, has been dropped. At an event to promote the October 31 release date of the third chapter of the Bat Out Of Hell trilogy, Virgin Records happily announced that common ground had been reached. "The two came to an amicable agreement that ensured that Jim Steinman's music would be a continuing part of the Bat Out Of Hell legacy."

Produced by Desmond Child, Bat Out Of Hell III features seven Steinman penned compositions as well as vocal arrangements by Todd Rundgren, producer of the original Bat Out Of Hell. Where the original album featured many members of the E Street Band, the latest installment includes contributions from notable guitarists like Steve Vai ("Land Of The Pigs") and Queen's Brian May ("Bad For Good"). It also attempts to reclaim Steinman's "It's All Coming Back To Me Now," a song originally recorded by Celine Dion. Meat Loaf's version features Marion Raven, making her U.S. recording debut. "She's mystical; she's dark; she's icy but she's warm; she's fun but she's also really deep," Child cryptically explains. "She was meant to do it."

To whet anticipation for the new album, Meat Loaf has unleashed an animated preview containing a snippet of "The Monster Is Loose," the album's first single, co-written by Child, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx and former Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5.

Labels: Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf